Class 4A Upper State Final Preview
In this article:
When the Upper State 4A bracket came out, there was a general consensus out there that No. 1 Greenville (9-3) and No. 2 Northwestern (11-1) would meet up. And now it’s here with a birth in next Saturday’s state championship…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhen the Upper State 4A bracket came out, there was a general consensus out there that No. 1 Greenville (9-3) and No. 2 Northwestern (11-1) would meet up. And now it’s here with a birth in next Saturday’s state championship on the line.
Since an early non-region loss at home to Gaffney, Northwestern has been riding a hot streak that has to do with an improved defense, who has only allowed 9.3 points per game in the playoffs, rolling over Wade Hampton, Greenwood and Westside. Jamarr Perry has five interceptions on the year and will look to add to that number this week. Keep an eye on Jayden Woods and Justin Spencer, as they recorded interceptions last week.
The Trojans’ offense hasn’t been held under 50 points throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs. Turbo Richard Turbo Richard 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Northwestern | 2024 State SC broke the single season rushing record previously held by Jeff Burris in 1989 last week against Westside and is hard to bring down in between the tackles led up front by Jordan Knox Jordan Knox 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Northwestern | 2023 State SC . But if you’ve get too caught up trying to stop him, Finley Polk Finley Polk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2025 State SC , who has thrown for 2916 yards and 33 touchdowns and Elijah Caldwell Elijah Caldwell 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Northwestern | 2023 State SC has caught 17 touchdowns and 1233 yards on the season.
Greenville started their season out 0-3, but they’ve also found their rhythm and haven’t lost a game since. The Red Raiders are averaging 49 points per game and are led by sophomore quarterback Bryson Drummond Bryson Drummond 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Mountain View Prep | 2025 State SC , who excels throwing the ball on the run and letting his receivers make plays. Speaking of receivers, Greenville has two Division 1 wide receivers, Mazeo Bennett and Tyler Brown Tyler Brown 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Greenville | 2023 State SC . This will be the duo’s best secondary they’ve played outside of South Pointe in the second round two weeks ago.
In Greenville’s last two games against the Stallions and Catawba Ridge, they’ve gotten off to a fast start defensively. Thomas Edmondson is an aggressive linebacker who will look to be all around the football on Friday. Keep an eye on Luke Schuller Luke Schuller 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Greenville | 2023 State SC and Noah Wallace as well. The Red Raiders forced three turnovers last week against Catawba Ridge, and whichever team can avoid the critical mistakes and execute offensively will win this one.
Edge: Northwestern